The Age of Fable eBook

The serfs were in the lowest state of slavery.
All the fruits of their labor belonged to the master
whose land they tilled, and by whom they were fed
and clothed.

The VILLIANS were less degraded. Their situation
seems to have resembled that of the Russian peasants
at this day. Like the serfs, they were attached
to the soil, and were transferred with it by purchase;
but they paid only a fixed rent to the landlord, and
had a right to dispose of any surplus that might arise
from their industry.

The term “clerk” was of very extensive
import. It comprehended, originally, such persons
only as belonged to the clergy, or clerical order,
among whom, however, might be found a multitude of
married persons, artisans or others. But in process
of time a much wider rule was established; every one
that could read being accounted a clerk or clericus,
and allowed the “benefit of clergy,” that
is, exemption from capital and some other forms of
punishment, in case of crime.

TOURNAMENTS

The splendid pageant of a tournament between knights,
its gaudy accessories and trappings, and its chivalrous
regulations, originated in France. Tournaments
were repeatedly condemned by the Church, probably
on account of the quarrels they led to, and the often
fatal results. The “joust,” or “just,”
was different from the tournament. In these,
knights fought with their lances, and their object
was to unhorse their antagonists; while the tournaments
were intended for a display of skill and address in
evolutions, and with various weapons, and greater courtesy
was observed in the regulations. By these it
was forbidden to wound the horse, or to use the point
of the sword, or to strike a knight after he had raised
his vizor, or unlaced his helmet. The ladies
encouraged their knights in these exercises; they bestowed
prizes, and the conqueror’s feats were the theme
of romance and song. The stands overlooking the
ground, of course, were varied in the shapes of towers,
terraces, galleries, and pensile gardens, magnificently
decorated with tapestry, pavilions, and banners.
Every combatant proclaimed the name of the lady whose
servant d’amour he was. He was wont to
look up to the stand, and strengthen his courage by
the sight of the bright eyes that were raining their
influence on him from above. The knights also
carried favors, consisting of scarfs, veils, sleeves,
bracelets, clasps,—­in short, some piece
of female habiliment,—­attached to their
helmets, shields, or armor. If, during the combat,
any of these appendages were dropped or lost the fair
donor would at times send her knight new ones, especially
if pleased with his exertions.